Florida New Majority reaches 100,000 voters from Tampa to Homestead
Miami – As Tea Party Candidates ride a wave of discontentment, a new grassroots organization in Florida is using progressive values to mobilize minority communities to vote in the coming elections. Florida New Majority is patiently expanding its reach through street canvass operations and direct communications in this election season that will touch over 100,000 voters throughout the state.
“Obama won two years ago because a new generation of voters and civic actors were emboldened to take action and direct this country to a future of unity and progress”, said Gihan Perera, executive Director of Florida New Majority. “This new generation needs to stay inspired and mobilized so that our country does not slide backwards down the wrong path of fear and ignorance.”
Florida New Majority is reaching out to voters in Homestead, Central Miami, Broward, and the I4 Corridor, which includes Orlando and Tampa. In each region the goal is clear: motivate and unite African American, Latino and immigrant voters around common values of equality, fairness and unity.
“By engaging these voters that are wrongly considered a minority, we can build a new majority with real power to make decisions in our state, and usher us on the path of progress”, explains Perera.
While the core values of stay the same, each region’s voter outreach has different objectives.
The first team of canvassers started hitting the streets in late September. “We’ve knocked on over 80,000 doors in Broward and Miami, encouraging voters to stand up for immigrant rights and expand unemployment insurance. We are asking them to vote with these goals in mind,” explained Sarai Portillo, Florida New Majority’s State Field Coordinator.
The canvass program in Congressional District 25, based in Homestead is again asking voters to protect immigrants’ rights with their vote for a new Congressional Representative. “We haven’t endorsed a candidate in this race, but it is clear to us that Joe Garcia is the better choice for immigrant rights in this district,” said Portillo.
In the City of Miami District 5 race, Florida New Majority has endorsed a candidate, Alison Austin, “We believe that Austin is a leader rooted in the community who will stand up for the needs of the working families in the most affected neighborhoods in Miami” explained Hashim Benford, Campaign Coordinator for District 5. For this race canvassers are walking throughout Miami’s historic Black neighborhoods, talking about the endorsement and encouraging residents to vote on November 2.
In Central Florida canvassers are hitting the streets to defend embattled congressional representative Alan Grayson in his bid for re-election.
“In all of these races we [Florida New Majority] remain independent,” said Perera. “We aren’t coordinating with campaigns; we aren’t coordinating with any parties. We are building an independent force of minority voters to create a new majority. We are growing and we will be defining the politics of the state.”
Florida New Majority was launched just over a year ago when it mobilized voters in the Miami City elections. Spring boarding from this municipal experience the young organization launched a multi-site statewide canvass operation tied to the 2010 census in the spring. Spreading the message that all members of the community deserved to be counted, canvassers spoke to over 100,000 residents.
“We focused on communities that are usually undercounted: immigrants, and Low-Income African Americans. The Census count is used to determine the distribution of billions of dollars of tax dollars, and the boundaries of voting districts. Our communities need to be involved in both of these processes,” said Portillo.
The organization first dabbled in federal elections when it endorsed Marleine Bastien in the Congressional District 17 in the Democratic primary. “Marleine is well known throughout Miami for being a leader on women’s rights, immigrant rights and civil rights. She is a true progressive voice, and lines up with our values. The endorsement was a no brainer,” said Perera. Although Bastien lost the race, the organization learned lessons it carries with it into the current campaigns.
“It is all about turnout,” said Perera. “Our communities know what is wrong and know how to fix it, there is just a gap of enthusiasm, and how can you blame people who have seen their votes stolen, or manipulated for so long. But we won’t let apathy and disappointment stop us from seeking justice, and making change. We are here to inspire and motivate”
“Our mission doesn’t end with the elections”, says Perera. “This is one of our several efforts to reach out to the community and build real civic engagement and participation. After November 2nd, we will let the elected officials know what we voted for, what we expect from them and demand accountability. We know this time they will hear us”.
